Suspect fleeing police hits MetroBus, causing chain reaction crashes

Prince George's County says a suspect who sped off when they tried to pull him over caused a chain reaction crash involving a Metro Bus right at the DC line.

The DC Fire Department says nine people were injured and six were taken to the hospital.

PGPD spokesperson Cpl. Mike Rodriguez says police were not pursing the suspect. Officers attempted to stop the suspect car on Pennsylvania about a mile east of the accident scene.

They say the car didn’t stop, instead taking off towards the District.

Prince George's police say after running the license plate and determining the car wasn’t stolen, they decided not to pursue.

The vehicle ran through the light at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Southern Avenue, causing the chain reaction crash. After the crash PGPD says the suspect bailed out and ran but was taken into custody shortly afterward.

DC Fire and EMS Spokesperson Lon Walls says they transported a total of six people, including one adult with life-threatening injuries to MedStar.

Two other adults and three kids with minor injuries were taken to other local hospitals.

A PGPD officer was responding to the accident scene, when a citizen attempting to make a u-turn struck the officer's car, Rodriguez says.

The officer was transported to a local hospital. He has been released.

The M6 MetroBus was traveling southbound on Southern Avenue when it was hit by the suspect’s car, which was headed west on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Two other cars were then damaged in the chain reaction.

Police say they have the suspect driver in custody and are charging him for allegedly fleeing them.

They say they initially tried to pull him over because of a traffic violation.